On December 5, 2024, the Russell Kirk Center will host the inaugural Richard D. McLellan Prizes Award Gala in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the historic Amway Grand Hotel. The event, hosted by a distinguished prizes Jury, will honor recipient of the 2024 McLellan Prize, Greg Lukianoff, and two writing fellowship winners, Josiah Joner and Samuel Goldman.

The Richard D. McLellan Prizes is a unique educational program administered by the Russell Kirk Center. Its aim is to help reshape the national conversation on issues surrounding the durability and prospects for the American tradition of free speech and expression as guaranteed in the U. S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

The McLellan Prizes draw attention to the central importance of the free speech tradition, particularly recognizing those doing the most important and exciting work in that area. These Prizes seek to support talented thinkers, creators, and communicators capable of rearticulating the perennial importance of the First Amendment, and transmitting a better understanding of the freedoms it secures for all.

Please make plans to join us for this exciting evening event honoring our award winners, and featuring dynamic discussions between some of our nation’s leading thinkers and advocates of free speech and expression. You can reserve tickets for this event here.